Cognitive Disorders
The Cognitive Disorders topic covers issues related to traditional medical conditions, degenerative disorders, or trauma. These include: general subject review such an Introduction to Cognitive Disorders, dementia (including Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type) such as Dementia in Geriatric Populations, traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as Brain Trauma Issues, and delirium.
General
This category is for disorders that are characterized by cognitive dysfunction presumed to be due to the direct physiological effect of a general medical condition (4th ed., text rev.; DSM–IV–TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000: 179).
Dementia
Dementia is characterized by multiple cognitive deficits that include impairment in memory. The dementia category includes: Dementia of the Alzheimer's type, Vascular Dementia, and Dementia Due to Other General Medical Conditions (4th ed., text rev.; DSM–IV–TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000: 147).
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).
Delirium
Delirium is characterized by a disturbance of consciousness and a change in cognition that develop over a short period of time (4th ed., text rev.; DSM–IV–TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000: 135).